Russia ready to respond to Ukraine crisis ‘like in Georgia’

Russian is ready to respond to the Ukrainian crisis as it did in Georgia in 2008 –sending troops- if its 'legitimate' interests are under attack, Foreign Minister Serghiei Lavrov said.

"If we are attacked, we would certainly respond," he told Russia Today (RT) television in an interview to be aired later today, according to RT's website.

"If our interests, our legitimate interests, the interests of Russians have been attacked directly, like they were in South Ossetia for example, I do not see any other way but to respond in accordance with international law," he said, referring to a separatist territory in Georgia into which Moscow sent troops in August 2008.

“An attack against Russian citizens is an attack against the Russian Federation,” Lavrov said.

Lavrov also referred to US role in the crisis. He was quoted saying the United States was behind events in Ukraine: "There is no reason not to believe that the Americans are running the show."